It was November 13, 2022 when Nave Borsini touched Congolese soil for the last time and on the same day, exactly two years later, the warmth of the Congolese community and authorities welcomed the Italian ship again during its commitment in Operation Gabinia.
The arrival of the Italian patrol vessel in the port of Pointe Noire, one day later than scheduled, due to the extension of the activities at sea related to the exercise Grand African NEMO 2024, did not change the plans of the Congolese authorities.
In fact, already during the docking phase, these authorities celebrated the stopover of the Italian ship, awaiting it with a welcoming committee composed of local civil and military media, military authorities, a picket and the Navy fanfare, giving life to a real solemn welcoming ceremony as a testimony to the close bond that has now been established for years between Italy and Congo.
Immediately after docking, the Italian Ambassador Enrico Nunziata, accompanied by the Defence Attaché, Colonel Antonio Arivella, visited the ship. Borsini, to demonstrate its closeness and gratitude to the Navy for its commitment to ensuring maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea, and in particular in combating illegal trafficking and piracy in the area.
In the meeting held on board in the presence of the Italian Ambassador, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Defence of Congo, Major General Boukaka Reneé, declared himself extremely satisfied and honoured by the presence of the ship. Borsini in Congolese territory, underlining how the stop is a further step forward in cooperation between the two countries.
The stopover was also a fruitful moment to organize a maritime security exercise for the Congolese Navy, which mainly involved the Marine Brigade team. Saint Mark, who first held a theoretical indoctrination phase and then a practical one on board the unit.
Finally, a seminar was hosted in favour of the European Union and the concept of Coordinated Maritime Presences on the Maritime Security. The event, organized with the support of the Italian Ambassador, was attended by 34 guests, including local military and civilian authorities and the Ambassador of the European Union (if Anne Marchal).
A short but intense stop in Pointe Noire, which allowed, thanks to the dedication and commitment, to make the relationship with an important territory and country like Congo increasingly solid.
At the end of the period in port, Ship Borsini has resumed sailing the seas, continuing its patrolling action off the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, keeping a watchful eye not only on merchant ships and their safety, but also on the oil platforms managed by ENI, present in African waters.
